Alps' 'Mannyeonseol' Melts Rapidly... Records Highest 'Freezing Point Altitude'

Swiss Alps 'Freezing Level' Highest in 27 Years
Alps Average Temperature Rises 0.3°C in Last 10 Years
France: "Freezing Point Measured at 5,065m Above Bordeaux"

The glaciers in the high-altitude areas of the Alps have noticeably decreased between last year and this year, as shown in the photos. / Photo by Swiss Meteorological Office Twitter capture

[Asia Economy Culture Young Intern Reporter] Due to the impact of the climate crisis, severe heatwaves continue across Europe. Amid this, the freezing level in the Swiss Alps has reached its highest point in 27 years.

The Swiss Meteorological Office (MeteoSwiss) announced on the 25th (local time) that the freezing level in the Alps rose to 5,184 meters. This is nearly 70 meters higher than the previous record of 5,177 meters observed on July 20, 1995.

MeteoSwiss stated, "It is unusual for the freezing level to rise above 5,000 meters," adding, "Climate change has caused this record."

The rise in the freezing level means that the altitude at which temperatures remain below 0 degrees Celsius is increasing. This implies that the area cold enough for water to freeze in the Alps is gradually shrinking. As the freezing level rises, the area covered by perennial snow inevitably decreases as well.

MeteoSwiss presented comparative photos of high mountain areas from last summer and this summer. The glaciers have clearly diminished compared to last summer.

The average temperature in the Alps has risen by 0.3 degrees over the past decade. This is twice the global average temperature increase rate. If greenhouse gas emissions continue, it is predicted that 80% of the Alps' glaciers will disappear by 2100.

The rise in the freezing level is not limited to Switzerland. The freezing level is measured by meteorological balloons that record the altitude where the temperature reaches 0 degrees Celsius. French meteorologists also reported measuring the freezing level at 5,065 meters above western Bordeaux the day before.

The British daily The Guardian reported that wild species living in cold environments will need to move to higher altitudes to survive, and if pushed to the summit, they will lose their habitat and face threats to their survival.

Swiss glaciologist Matthias Huss tweeted, "Due to this month's temperature rise, freshwater glaciers are melting faster than ever," adding, "The glaciers in the Alps are completely different from what we have seen before, and the future situation is truly frightening."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.